Despite the recession, consumers are still buying new entertainment — they’re just bargain hunting and finding it in unexpected places. Suddenly, the formerly stagnant record and film industry is booming again, as artists are utilizing the Internet to create and market their own work at a fraction of the cost. Independent recording artists, producers and filmmakers are distributing their work through Web sites such as eBay and Craigslist. Consumers are loading up their iPods with the latest tunes through music exchanges with friends. And the theater and performing arts remain popular forms of entertainment.

This article originally appeared in the December 2008 issue of Entertainment Weekly.

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